CREATING
BRIGHTER ★ ★
FUTURES FOR CHILDREN LIVING IN OUT-OF-HOME CARE
Our impact so far
Conducted by Lumenia
Who are we?
Developed by a desire to do better. Delivered by experience, global best practice, and a deep appreciation that wellbeing and education need to be interlinked when driving meaningful change for our most vulnerable – our kids.
Little Stars Foundation is a non-profit organisation based in South-East Queensland. Founded in 2016 and powered by a small team with a profound drive to create brighter futures for young people in care, our foundation provides individualised and trauma-informed education and wellbeing programs, activities, and ongoing carer support.
“The healthy development of children is absolutely critical to the future wellbeing of any society. After all, when we are no longer here, the world will belong to them.”
An expert interview with Mark Gavin and Dr Melissa Kaltner from Lumenia
Our signature program, Little Stars Learners, provides intensive, trauma-informed educational interventions to young people living in foster, kinship, and residential care.
What we deliver is more than just a learning program – it is a proven early intervention that offers comprehensive support for young people in care, addressing the complex challenges arising from childhood trauma and navigating the foster care system.
An independent Social Return on Investment (SROI) analysis of our program, conducted in 2024, reported that every $1 invested generated $5.60 in social and economic value for the Queensland community. That value is delivered across six key components: young people’s confidence and wellbeing ($2), children’s learning engagement ($1.60), placement stability (80 cents), carer welling (50 cents), community benefits (40 cents), and trauma-informed practice (30 cents).
Beyond education, the program fosters community connections, school collaboration, and ongoing carer support, ensuring children gain the confidence and skills to shape a better future.
By enrolling a young person in our program, you are providing them with a pathway to overcome challenges in the classroom and beyond, and experience meaningful, long-term benefits.
We accept enrolment applications from the Department of Child Safety, foster and kinship agencies, schools, and private residential care providers. Carers can also approach their agency to enquire about funding options or apply directly for our limited scholarship opportunities.
“The healthy development of children is absolutely critical to the future wellbeing of any society. After all, when we are no longer here, the world will belong to them.”
The challenge for young people in care
Young people in care often experience greater difficulties in school due to housing instability and childhood trauma impacting cognitive, social and emotional function in and out of the classroom that results in lower engagement and academic achievement than their peers.
Our Little Stars Learners program ensures this gap doesn’t widen by giving these children an equal opportunity to succeed in school and life.
The effects of trauma can manifest in behavioral difficulties, leading to higher suspension and exclusion rates in school. Placement instability further disrupts learning, with children frequently changing homes and schools, adding to their struggles in maintaining academic progress.
Without targeted intervention, these children are at significant risk of lifelong social and economic disadvantage.
Why early intervention matters
The Little Stars Learners program is designed to deliver intensive, trauma-informed educational interventions to young people in care, addressing the complex challenges arising from childhood trauma and navigating the foster care system. The holistic program gets to the bottom of behavioural issues which, if left unchecked, will further increase the learning, social, and economic gaps for young people in care as they get older.
Key outcomes of our program include:
★ Improved engagement: Children are motivated to participate in their education, showing increased school attendance, enthusiasm for learning, and academic progress. Of the carers surveyed for the SROI analysis, 78% observed a significant change in education engagement.
★ Enhanced confidence & wellbeing: Children are motivated to participate in their education, showing increased school attendance, enthusiasm for learning, and academic progress. Of the carers surveyed for the SROI analysis, 78% observed a significant change in education engagement.
★ Strengthened care placements: By reducing conflicts over homework and school issues, our program fosters more harmonious household environments, reducing the risk of placement breakdowns and ultimately over reliance on residential care.
★ Carer support: By reducing conflicts over homework and school issues, our program fosters more harmonious household environments, reducing the risk of placement breakdowns and ultimately over reliance on residential care.
★ Enhanced community understanding of trauma: Learning support mentors gain valuable experience, developing skills in trauma-informed practices that positively impact their careers in education and beyond.
★ Assisting teachers and schools by improving student engagement: Working one–on-one with students who have fallen behind to get them up to speed with the curriculum ultimately has flow on benefits for teachers and other students in the classroom.
Improved engagement
Children are motivated to participate in their education, showing increased school attendance, enthusiasm for learning, and academic progress. Of the carers surveyed for the SROI analysis, 78% observed a significant change in education engagement.
Enhanced confidence & wellbeing
Through consistent support, children gain confidence and experience positive changes in their mental health, leading to improved behaviour both at home and in school.
Strengthened care placements
By reducing conflicts over homework and school issues, our program fosters more harmonious household environments, reducing the risk of placement breakdowns and ultimately over reliance on residential care.
Carer support
Carers benefit from a reduction in stress and feel more confident in their caregiving roles, with a deeper understanding of trauma-informed strategies that improve the lives of the children in their care.
Enhanced community understanding of trauma
Learning support mentors gain valuable experience, developing skills in trauma-informed practices that positively impact their careers in education and beyond.
Assisting teachers and schools by improving student engagement
Assisting teachers and schools by improving student engagement: Working one–on-one with students who have fallen behind to get them up to speed with the curriculum ultimately has flow on benefits for teachers and other students in the classroom.
The Little Stars Learners program is not only transforming lives but is also delivering a high return on investment. For every $1 invested, $5.60 of social and economic value is created, benefiting children, carers, the education system, and the community at large.
Social and economic value creations
For every $1 invested
$5.6 of social and economic value is created
The program’s distribution of value is as follows:
Positive changes in societal attitudes, reduced anti-social behaviour, and increased community cohesion.
Increased wellbeing, satisfaction, and reduced stress among carers due to effective educational support.
Children experience improved engagement, confidence, and educational outcomes that foster lifelong learning.
Enhanced stability and support within the Out-of-Home Care system, reducing placement breakdowns.
Better school engagement and performance, leading to improved educational trajectories for children.
Mentors gain skills and experience that enhance their future careers in education and psychology.
This powerful return highlights the significant impact of Little Stars Learners in addressing the educational challenges faced by children in care, creating lasting benefits for individuals and society.
By investing in these young lives, we are breaking the cycle of disadvantage, giving children in care the opportunity to succeed in school and beyond. Together, we can create a brighter, more hopeful future.
We couldn’t make the impact we do without generous sponsors like yourselves. All donations over $2 are tax deductible. Thank you for your support!
Together, we can achieve even more
We’re deeply grateful for what we’ve accomplished together, with more than $1.27 million provided in educational scholarships, delivering more than 25,000 hours of support, and bringing hope to thousands of children who need it most.
Beyond donations, your support in spreading the word is invaluable. By leaving a review on Google, you can inspire others to join our cause and help us reach even more children in need. Let’s continue to build this community and build brighter futures for our children, together.
